Met Office issues yellow wind warning for '60-70 mph gusts' this weekend
A blustery few days on the cards... ⚠️💨🌲🍃
Hold on to your hats, after a rather mild and settled few days, the harsh winter weather looks set to return this weekend.
The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for blustery conditions as a deep area of low pressure is expected hit bringing possible disrupting to Northern Ireland.
According to forecasters; "Strong southwesterly winds are expected to develop during Friday afternoon before gradually easing during Saturday. Inland gusts of 50 mph are expected quite widely, with gusts of 60-70 mph likely around some coasts."
Bands of heavy rain sweeping eastwards on Friday in particular will present an additional hazard.
The south and east are expected to bear the brunt of the strongest winds.
The adverse weather could impact weekend sporting fixtures and travel plans.
"Road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected, with longer journey times and cancellations possible. Some roads and bridges may close."
"Winds will lead to large waves affecting coasts and the possibility of waves overtopping some coastal routes."
The warning comes into effect from 12:00 Friday lasting through until 18:00 Saturday
The Met Office is yet to name this storm, but will do so if the low pressure system has the potential to cause amber “be prepared” or red “take action” warnings.
NORTHERN IRELAND FOUR/FIVE DAY FORECAST
Wednesday - Cloudy with some heavy rain developing this evening, this perhaps turning to wet snow for a time over higher ground. Clearer later in the night. High 8°C / Low 1°C
Thursday - Bright day with some sunny spells. A few showers in the north and west, while Armagh and Down should stay dry. High 7°C / Low 5°C
Friday - Heavy rain on Friday then showery later, turning very windy. High 10°C / Low 5°C
Weekend - Showery on Saturday with westerly gales, perhaps severe first thing. Winds should ease later in the afternoon. Colder but brighter on Sunday with sunny spells.
It looks like the cold snap which gripped much of the province during early-February is over, for now.
STORM NAMES FOR THE 2018/2019 SEASON
Storms are named by the Met Office or, in Ireland, Met Eireann, in order to raise public awareness of approaching bad weather.
In September, the Met Office and Met Éireann unvealed a list of the names of this seasons storms.
First introduced in 2015, this is the fourth year they have jointly run the ‘Name our Storms’ scheme, aimed at raising awareness of severe weather before it hits.
The first storm was ‘male’ and named Ali, while the second storm will be ‘female’ and named Bronagh, following the alternating male/female pattern established by the US National Hurricane Center in the 1970s.